Japan's Lower House approves enhanced disaster prevention bill

The Lower House of Japan has passed a bill to improve disaster prevention in peninsular areas. The bill was approved on Tuesday with a majority vote after discussions among different political groups. It focuses on the unique geographic challenges faced by peninsulas, especially after last year’s significant earthquake in the Noto Peninsula. This earthquake highlighted how quickly these regions can become isolated when disasters strike. The bill extends the current law, which was due to expire at the end of March, by ten years. It aims to enhance disaster prevention and boost regional revitalization efforts in areas not currently covered by special measures. Currently, 194 municipalities in 23 regions are designated under the law for special measures, including industrial promotion and tax benefits. The new bill also emphasizes the need for central and local governments to use digital technology for disaster information and to implement renewable energy sources for emergency power supply.